It is fo be supposed that—the Paris Conference foresaw the German refusal to submit to the reparation terms which is reported to-day, as certainly everybody else did. Various penalties for noncompliance have been drafted, the chief of which are occupation of more German territory and certain German Customs stations. These were not communicated officially to Berlin but it would know, as everybody else did, what they were, and the utter absence of any sign of alarm coupled with the tone of Dr. von Simons' speech is significant. Again, also, we have the impertinent suggestion that Germany is in a position to negotiate and offer counter-proposals. All of which is the natural consequence of the shiily-shaily of the Allies during the past two years and three months. We are not in the least vindictive. If the Allied Governments think fit to let Germany off altogether, by all means let them do so. But now that they have laid down certain precise terms, it is devoutly to be hoped that she shall be made-te comply without further conferences. Contrary to what Dr. von Simons pretends. dictation is really the only thing that Germany understands. It might suitably entrusted fo one or {wo men like Marshal Feech and Browning.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.